The Azores Archipelago
The Azores are a little known Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km from Lisbon and about 3,900 km from the east coast of North America.
"Wild, authentic, unspoiled and diverse, these islands, of volcanic origin, have been relatively untouched by mass tourism."
Only 3.5 hours by direct flight from the UK, the islands are a stunning and wonderous "secret" destination that provides equally well for those just looking for peace, relaxation and culture, as well as those searching for something unique and different in their adventurous activities and travels.
The nine major Azorean Islands and the eight small Formigas extend for more than 600 km, and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. They are the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean. Varying in size and population from São Miguel (759 km² ¦ 130, 000) to Corvo (17 km² ¦ 400), the islands are divided into three groups:
The Eastern Group: of São Miguel, Santa Maria and Formigas Islets.
The Central Group: of Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial.
The Western Group: of Flores and Corvo.
All of the islands, although rising from their volcanic origins and being surrounded by clear blue green waters, are distinctly unique. From the biggest (São Miguel) to the smallest (Corvo), from the highest (Pico: 2,351 m) to the lowest (Graciosa), all contain a beauty rarely experienced elsewhere.
With an average year round temperature of 20*C due to its moderate/subtropical climate the islands could be worthy of a visit at any time of year. The best time to visit however is between June and August, when the weather is generally better, though for the best deals and to have the islands relatively tourist free, May and late September are excellent (though be prepared for a few more rain showers, cooler nights and the possiblity of a few delays).
Average temperatures in the summer months reach a very pleasant 25*C, though be aware that the islands can get quite humid reaching 90% on some of the hotter days in late July. Precipitation within the Islands changes marketably from east to west, with average rainfall of 700mm found on Sao Miguel in the east, while on Flores in the west it reaches 1600mm. Each Island has it own weather patterns and though it may be raining on one side of the island it is quite likely to be sunny on the other side.
These conditions have given rise to green and pleasant lands which contain temperate broadleaf and mixed forest that produce many endemic species of plant. The most significant plant located on all the islands, that unifies the beauty of the islands is the hydrangea. Flowering from early june to late july these colouful bushes, moulded into hedgerows, boarder roads and enclose pastures formulating spectacular vista's whenever you travel through the islands interior.
For more detailed information about the Azores, their History, Culture, Climate etc, visit Wikipedia. This site has a lot of useful factual information on the Azores. For other information please look through the useful info pages for links to other sites.
"Wild, authentic, unspoiled and diverse, these islands, of volcanic origin, have been relatively untouched by mass tourism."
Only 3.5 hours by direct flight from the UK, the islands are a stunning and wonderous "secret" destination that provides equally well for those just looking for peace, relaxation and culture, as well as those searching for something unique and different in their adventurous activities and travels.
The nine major Azorean Islands and the eight small Formigas extend for more than 600 km, and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. They are the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean. Varying in size and population from São Miguel (759 km² ¦ 130, 000) to Corvo (17 km² ¦ 400), the islands are divided into three groups:
The Eastern Group: of São Miguel, Santa Maria and Formigas Islets.
The Central Group: of Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial.
The Western Group: of Flores and Corvo.
All of the islands, although rising from their volcanic origins and being surrounded by clear blue green waters, are distinctly unique. From the biggest (São Miguel) to the smallest (Corvo), from the highest (Pico: 2,351 m) to the lowest (Graciosa), all contain a beauty rarely experienced elsewhere.
With an average year round temperature of 20*C due to its moderate/subtropical climate the islands could be worthy of a visit at any time of year. The best time to visit however is between June and August, when the weather is generally better, though for the best deals and to have the islands relatively tourist free, May and late September are excellent (though be prepared for a few more rain showers, cooler nights and the possiblity of a few delays).
Average temperatures in the summer months reach a very pleasant 25*C, though be aware that the islands can get quite humid reaching 90% on some of the hotter days in late July. Precipitation within the Islands changes marketably from east to west, with average rainfall of 700mm found on Sao Miguel in the east, while on Flores in the west it reaches 1600mm. Each Island has it own weather patterns and though it may be raining on one side of the island it is quite likely to be sunny on the other side.
These conditions have given rise to green and pleasant lands which contain temperate broadleaf and mixed forest that produce many endemic species of plant. The most significant plant located on all the islands, that unifies the beauty of the islands is the hydrangea. Flowering from early june to late july these colouful bushes, moulded into hedgerows, boarder roads and enclose pastures formulating spectacular vista's whenever you travel through the islands interior.
For more detailed information about the Azores, their History, Culture, Climate etc, visit Wikipedia. This site has a lot of useful factual information on the Azores. For other information please look through the useful info pages for links to other sites.
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